Read Online Murder Hooks a Mermaid by Christy Fifield - Free Book Online

satisfaction, “Riley put up the boat to get him bailed out. At least he’ll get it back now.”
    So she hadn’t heard everything after all. “Not quite. The boat was impounded, and the bondsman wouldn’t accept it as collateral. The boat’s forfeit if it was used for smuggling.”
    I nearly used some of Bluebeard’s saltier vocabulary, biting my lip to keep the frustrated curses from streaming out. “Which is ridiculous! I really, really can’t believe Bobby did that. Not knowingly.”
    “Then how did he make bail?”
    “Karen pledged her house.” The cocoa had cooled slightly, and I took a sip, letting the hot, sugary liquid slide down my throat. As the warmth spread through me, exhaustion dragged me down.
    Concern drew Linda’s eyebrows together. “You think that was a good idea?”
    I shook my head. “I honestly don’t know. She still thinks of the Freeds as family, and what I think really doesn’t matter.”
    She took the cup from my hands and set it on the table. “Go put on your pajamas,” she instructed.
    Too tired to argue, I walked into the bedroom and did asI was told. Linda had been telling me what to do since I was four, and obeying her came naturally.
    When I opened the bedroom door, she was waiting. She shooed me toward the bed. “Crawl in,” she said. “I’ll let myself out once you’re asleep.”
    I didn’t argue. There are times, even when you’re thirtysomething, that you just need someone to watch over you.

Chapter 9
    FRIDAY MORNING WAS DREARY, FOG CREEPING IN off the bay and shrouding the entire town in a soft, gray cloud. Sound didn’t carry, and without the sun I couldn’t tell if it was morning or afternoon.
    The day dragged on, my normal activities a mechanical ritual of routine chores and occasional customers. I listened to WBBY. The substitute newscaster had taken Karen’s place for the day. She wasn’t usually off on Fridays, but I think this qualified as a family emergency. Question was, whose family?
    I shoved the question of Karen and Riley to the back of my brain and tried to concentrate on work.
    Late in the morning—the only way I knew was by looking at the clock—Linda came over from her shop next door. Linda and her husband, Guy, owned The Grog Shop, the liquor store on the east side of Southern Treasures.
    “I just came to see how you’re doing, honey,” she said, wrapping me in a big hug. I hugged her back and assured her I was okay.
    “Are you sure? You had enough trouble with that Parmenter boy to last a lifetime. I don’t want to see you mixed up all this.”
    “I’m not. Riley is, and Karen, and they’re my friends. That’s all.” I hoped it was the truth.
    “Have you heard from Karen? That other guy was doing the news this morning.”
    “Haven’t heard. I’ll give her a call later today, find out what the latest is.”
    “Well, you let me know if you need anything, y’hear?”
    I assured her I would.
    Karen called shortly after noon. She was at the Freeds, and it was clear she hadn’t been home all night.
    “We cleaned up and put the leftovers away,” I assured her, “and Ernie left the dishwasher running. All you have to do is put the clean dishes away.”
    “Thanks,” she said, sounding distracted. “I really appreciate it. Did one of you take the cake? It shouldn’t sit there and get stale.”
    “I covered it.” I had an idea. “How about I go get it and bring it over there after I close up?”
    “It’s a good idea, but you don’t have to do that, Glory. You’ve already done so much.”
    I really hadn’t, but it was sweet of her to say so.
    “Anyway, I have to go home in a little while. I’ll just bring the rest of the cake back here with me.”
    Despite her initial distraction, she seemed inclined to chat, and I settled down in the tall chair behind the counter. “How are the Freeds holding up?”
    “About as good as could be expected, I guess. Riley’s mom is tore up pretty good. His dad isn’t saying